Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 254903 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Sue Riley

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and three adult children, in a suburb of Nottingham. There are facilities close by such as parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for 11 children, of whom, four are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and is an active member of the local childminding support group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are safe, secure and cared for in a clean and comfortable home. A child- friendly environment is created to ensure children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show good levels of self-esteem because the childminder gets to know them well and values them as individuals. The childminder has developed a sound close working relationship with parents, which helps her to understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. All aspects of children's welfare are suitably promoted which means that children are fully safeguarded. The childminder has acted upon the recommendations made at the last inspection and is reflecting more on her practice to help towards maintaining ongoing improvement of the service she offers.

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well being  develop further the observations on children's progress to ensure their next steps in learning are clearly identified and used in planning to promote learning and to monitor their progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder understands her role to protect them from harm. The childminder has a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has a written detailed statement of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16, her experience and training. With being a long standing childminder she has embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage; she demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She attends regular training to keep her knowledge and understanding fully up-to-date. The childminder has started to develop a system of self-evaluation in order for her to demonstrate that she is effectively reflecting on her practice and identifying strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement within

p.5

the early years provision

her service. The childminder attends regular training to continually improve her own knowledge and understanding around caring for children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder effectively maintains most of her records and policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure and are well organised. Systems are in place to review all policies and procedures to ensure they are kept up-to-date with current guidance. Records of risk assessments are in place for the home and the childminder makes regular checks to identify and minimise any hazards. However, the record of the risk assessment does not cover all that the children may come into contact with. Effective safety measures are in place with regard to the premises. The door to the house is kept locked to prevent unwanted visitors from entering the premises, ensuring children are safe. Through sensitive discussions she helps young children to understand ways to minimise the risk of harm to themselves. They practise the emergency evacuation procedures to

p.5

the early years provision

raise their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire. A wide range of resources are readily available for the children and they are able to make their own choices about what they would like to do and play with. This practice promotes their independence. The childminder ensures she can supervise the children at all times.

p.5

the early years provision

Equality for all children in the childminder's care is promoted and the childminder is aware to adapt activities to ensure they can engage and progress their learning. The childminder is very aware of children's individual needs and plans effectively to ensure toys and activities are accessible to all. She makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in. The childminder organises the environment effectively to ensure children have suitable areas for play and rest.

p.5

the early years provision

Parent partnerships are promoted through discussions to meet children's individual needs and parents are encouraged to share information about their child's care needs, likes and dislikes, cultural and religious requirements. This helps the childminder to meet children's needs consistently and provide continuity of care. Parents are fully aware of the childminder's practice, as when starting the placement they are provided with information about all the childminder's policies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and procedures. Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through verbal discussions and the sharing of their development files. Parent's comments are very favourable about the childminder and her provision. The childminder exchanges information with parents daily as she talks and shares records about what the child has been doing throughout the day. The childminder is very aware

p.5

the early years provision

of the need to have an effective partnership with other providers to fully support children in their care and learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the learning, development and welfare requirements to promote children's learning and care. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play and how they develop. Children's welfare needs are met and they achieve as well as they can because the childminder adapts activities to ensure they can all participate. The indoor and outside environments are set up for children's learning, which allows them lots of free choice of activities and resources. The childminder is very warm and welcoming to the children, thus providing a safe emotional environment where children feel safe and secure. The observations for children are ongoing and information is starting to be used to plan for the further learning for children taking into account their abilities, likes and dislikes. However, the childminder does not assess the child's learning effectively against the observations so the next steps

p.6

and outcomes for children

are not always being correctly identified.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are taught about safety issues as part of the daily routine. The children practice the evacuation procedures so are learning what to do in the event of an emergency. When out with children the childminder encourages them to follow good road safety techniques, this helps children learn to keep themselves safe. The good health and well-being of children is positively encouraged. Children know what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They have plenty of fresh air and exercise, going on regular walks and enjoy playing on challenging equipment at the local parks. All snacks are provided by the childminder and she demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. Parents choose to provide a packed lunch for their children. Children are encouraged to follow suitable hygiene routines to prevent the risk of cross-infection.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and are being encouraged to share and take turns. They learn good manners as the childminder encourages the use of them through role modelling. For example, by using 'please' and 'thank you'. When the childminder praises the children they respond well to this and benefit as this practice raises their self-esteem. Children's independence skills are well fostered as they select their favourite toys and activities, which are readily available. They demonstrate a positive approach to learning, for example, they ask to do a painting and really concentrate as they complete their chosen activity. The childminder is attentive to their needs and offers them lots of support and encouragement. As result, they are confident and interact well with each other.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's communication skills are good and they listen well. They have fun as the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder asks them about different animals and they make the appropriate animal sounds. When painting they are creative and able to make controlled strokes with the brushes. They learn about shapes as they play with the shape sorters and complete the jigsaw puzzles. With going out and about in the local and wider communities the children learn about the wider world. They eagerly talk about seeing the swans at the park the day before. Children demonstrate excitement as they explore the large box of musical instruments and make lots of noise. They enjoy singing and following the actions. Children have opportunities to learn the basic skills for information communication and technology through the use of the interactive toys and books. They enjoy playing with the play dough and

p.6

and outcomes for children

the role-play items that the childminder has set out to extend their learning. Children develop their imagination as they use the play dough to pretend to cook and bake with. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.8

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9